Hollins University Hollins Digital Commons

Hollins University Theatre Performances Theatre

9-4-2016

Starcropolis: Theatre Under the Star

Ernest Zulia Hollins University

Katherine Fralin

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Recommended Citation Zulia, Ernest and Fralin, Katherine, "Starcropolis: Theatre Under the Star" (2016). Hollins University Theatre Performances. 5. https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/performances/5

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Presented by Hollins Theatre Institute and Hollins University With the City of Roanoke and Mill Mountain Theatre

Playwright's Lab Mill ROANOKE Mountain Theatre Why Theatre? Why Starcropolis?

If you go and hang out at the star any time of the day or night, you will meet the people who share your world and get a glimpse at the rich tapestry of our community. If the star could talk, she'd have plenty of stories to te!J. Stare 0lJ,Olis creates the mechanism for us to gather and share these Star Stories ... our stories ... arnd experience what it means to be alive in Roanoke, in this moment, on this mountaintop, in the glow of one another's • 1 J I I ight. .. together.

-Ernie Zulia Dear Star Catchers:

Welcome to Starcropolis, and thank you for joining us for this amazing gathering. We're crazy about this place where we live, and the people who populate it, and we know we 're not the only ones. So along with a lot of great friends and colleagues, and the magic of theatre, we have tried to create something that can capture what is fairly impossible to put into words. It's mind blowing how many people have donated so much time, money, and enthusiasm to make Starcropolis happen. It looks like we all believe in the same thing ... each other! I ! Special thanks must go to our sponsors, who believe in things like Starcropolis, Roanoke, and the people who make her special.

First and foremost, to President Nancy Gray and Hollins University and City Manager Chris Morrill and the City of Roanoke: partners who believe that great things come when knowledge and the humanities join with the government and the people to say, "Life is good ... especially here!"

And to Mill Mountain Theatre for keeping the lights on and the plays coming. Since your first performance here on the mountain in 1964, you have continued to inspire us all.

Thank you to the remarkable guest writers and members of the Hollins Playwright's Lab for ascending the mountain to create new plays that tell our stories, as they continue to make Roanoke an exciting ignition point for new works in the American theatre.

: And to the Fishburn family whose tremendous gift through Foundation for Roanoke Valley made s/ arcropolis possible. When your family gave 100 acres on the top of Mill Mountain to create a p,ublic park for all to enjoy, not only did they create a legacy for us all , they also gave us our very own /acropoli:5: And ~l?ng with fellow sponsors and believers, D~vis H. Ellio~ Company, Hometown Bank, / a'nAd\ Caril1on Clinic, your support strengthens our community and our lives.

// /: ;A~ d to Stage Sound, Access, Chocklett Press, and the other wonderful businesses listed in the / pllybi1Jthat provided generous in-kind services and products. It takes a village, and we are so grateful 1 r Y. o.u\ a.re\part of ours. 1 i .· \•· \. 1 / /\ rI.~dto all the people who have volunteered their time and energy into making one magical night of 1 / !.~-~~ttr,· ..., o~LMill~~otJl'l-! ~_il'l~~You are.-tr-ue ;.'&tar catchers," and we are all better because of your generous ... 1. Ispin) \·. s. . --~~~·····-••• . .. . . - .. _ I . . . --"~,, T1~ings~likeStarcropolis happen because of faith ... faith in the value of the arts, in the importance of theatre, and in each other.

The\ Roa_noke Star isn't going anywhere! It is our hope that the spirit of Starcropolis will continue through \proJects such as the Roanoke Public Library's "Starry Corp" and pop-up performances of Star St~n' f s y,et t? come. And who knows, maybe we will meet again here at our acropolis atop Mill Mountain to celebrate one another through the magic of live theatre .

. :. .Thank' you for your inspiration!

Katherine Fralin and Ernie Zulia Codirectors of Starcropolis 1 Starcropolis Main Stage 1 Star Stories .. .lf the Star Could Talk Conceived by KATHERINE FRALIN and ERNIE ZULIA Directed by ERNIE ZU LIA

Hellos and Goodbyes Hope in America by Laura King by Elizabeth Heffron Morton-Rick Blunt Ted-Thom Moore Robin-Ami Trowell Yana-Marion Grey Amanda-Erica Musyt Second Star to the Right Statue of Liberty by Shane Strawbridge by John Patrick Bray Peter-Shane Strawbridge Jack-Patrick Regal Edna-Marion Grey Flag Burning by Jill Mccorkle Petting Kate-Amanda Mansfield by Lee Smith Woman 1-Thesa Loving Woman 2-Megan Mccranie Roy and Me Phil-Todd Ristau by Lee Smith Waitress-Natalie Pendergast Sally-Thesa Loving Shank of the Evening Star Secrets by Ben Jolivet by Joy Sylvester-Johnson Person-Rick Blunt She-Amanda Mansfield He-Michael Mansfield Pretty Little White Lies by Dwayne Yancey February at the Star Man 1-Thom Moore by Robert Fulghum Man 2-Simon Adkins Man-Shane Strawbridge Woman-Bayla Sussman From Beginning to End Fred-Tom Honer by Eric Edson Daughters-Bonny Branch, Vanessa Mills Sam-Nick McCord Bethany-Vanessa Mills Next Year at the Roanoke Star by Maura Campbell Street Sweeper: Andrew Moore Debra East-Charlotte Pearl AReal Man ...A Mostly True Story Midge-Mikayla Parker by Beth Macy and Tom Landon Mrs. East-Erica Musyt Andrew Moore-Jasper McGruder

Let's Not Over Analyze This Opening Night by Paul Sambol by Ernie Zulia Lisa-Bonny Branch Wanda-Dawn Wells Julie-Ami Trowell Vietnam Vet-George Spelvin

Order of plays subject to change

Dramaturg ...... Kevin Ferguson Lighting Designer ...... Ann Courtney Associate Director ...... Susanna Young Costume Designers ...... Julie and Lee Hunsaker Musical Director ...... David Caldwell Sound and Lighting Supervisor ...... Reid Henion Scene Designer/Technical Director ...... John Forsman Stage Manager ...... Shelby Taylor Love Codi rectors LEE SMITH (Hollins class of 1967) is a New York Times bestselling author and the recipient of multiple awards , including KATHERINE FRALIN, Ph.D., is the founding the Academy Award in Fiction from the director of the Batten Leadership Institute American Academy of Arts and Letters. at Hollins University. In addition to her Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains post at Hollins, Fralin supports leaders of Southwest Virginia , nine-year-old Smith from all fields in their ongoing leadership was already writing--and selling, for a development. Fralin actively engages nickel apiece--stories about her neighbors in the arts and community building in in the coal boomtown of Grundy and the Roanoke. She has cofounded a music nearby isolated "hollers. " Since graduating from Hollins, hall , developed a number of community she has published 11 novels, as well as three collections of arts initiatives, and has served on numerous nonprofit short stories. Smith's writing, along with that of her friend boards. She served as a founding board member of several Jill Mccorkle, was featured in the off-Broadway hit musical organizations, and currently serves as founding board Good Of' Girls, which played to sold-out audiences at member of the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. Fralin's Hollins in 2011. shameless eavesdropping, especially at the Mill Mountain BETH MACY (Hollins M.A., class of 1993) Star, sparked the idea for Star Stories. is a journalist who writes about outsiders ERNIE ZULIA serves as artistic director and and underdogs. She is the author of the chair of the Hollins Theatre Institute. He • New York Times bestseller Factory Man, worked as a professional theatre artist for which is in development for a major over 25 years before coming to Hollins motion picture starring Tom Hanks. in 2004. Zulia is the recipient of the Her writing has won more than a dozen Kennedy Center American College Theatre national awards, including a Nieman Festival Award for Outstanding Teaching Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard and Artist. In addition to his many productions the 2013 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award. Her - on the Hollins stage, he has directed new book, Truevine, is a riveting American tale about race , dozens of plays, musicals, operas, and greed, and the human condition. The unforgettable story world premieres in regional theatres throughout the United of what happened in Truevine, Virginia, will shock readers States and internationally, including the Barter Theatre, even as it warms their hearts. Macy lives in Roanoke with Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse in the her husband, videographer and journalist Tom Landon, who Park , and the Asolo Theatre. He served as associate artistic co-authored her Star Story, Street Sweeper. director at Mill Mountain Th·eatre from 1987 to 1995. TOM LANDON is a teacher and television His stage adaptation of Robert Fulghum 's international producer who lives in Roanoke. He holds a best-selling book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in master's degree in instructional technology Kindergarten, which premiered at Mill Mountain Theatre in from Virginia Tech and teaches AP Human 1992, has received thousands of productions around the Geography for Virtual Virginia, a program world. He also created and directed the musical revue of of the Virginia Department of Education. the songs of Academy Award-winning composer Stephen In 2007 he was the principal videographer Schwartz ( Wicked), titled Magic to Do, which he directed and coproducer of the award-winning film at Ford's Theatre in Washington , D.C. A member of SDC shot in Nepal titled A Gift for the Village. and the Dramatists Guild, Zulia holds a B.A. in English and He had a brief stint as the "What's On drama from SUNY Geneseo and an M.F.A. in directing from Your Mind" columnist for The Roanoke Times. Landon lives Northwestern University. in Roanoke with his wife, writer Beth Macy. They have two sons, 22 and 18, and two rescue dogs, Mavis and Charley, Guest Writers who can regularly be seen pulling Tom up Mill Mountain on the Star Trail. ROBERT FULGHUM is an international JILL MCCORKLE , (Hollins M.A. , class of bestselling author who has the distinction 1991) has the distinction of having her of having books in the #1 and #2 slots on first two novels published on the same the New York Times bestseller list at the day in 1984. Of these novels, The New same time. He has over 14 million copies York Times Book Review said , "One of 12 books in 23 languages in print. His suspects the author of The Cheer Leader most popular book, All I Really Need to is a born novelist. .. with July 7th, she is Know I Learned in Kindergarten, was adapted for the stage also a full-grown one. " Since then she by Ernie Zulia and premiered at Mill Mountain Theatre in has published three additional novels and 1992. It has had more than 3 ,000 productions and tens of four collections of short stories. Five of thousands of performances around the world. her books have been named New York Times notable books. Mccorkle has received the New England Booksellers Award , the John Dos Passos Prize for Excellence in Literature, and the North Carolina Award for Literature. She is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. With her friend Lee Norwich University and an M.F.A. in playwriting from Hollins Smith, Mccorkle co-authored the off-Broadway hit musical University. Good 0/' Girls. ERIC EIDSON is an M.F.A. candidate in DWAYNE YANCEY is a journalist by playwriting at Hollins University. He is profession and a playwright by avocation. currently the theatre director at Overland Most of his time is spent writing and High School in Aurora, Colorado. In working as editorial page editor of The addition to playwriting and teaching, Roanoke Times. He took up playwriting Eidson also develops new plays and acts several years ago to amuse himself and and directs in various theatre companies has been pleasantly surprised to find that in Colorado. He fostered his love of others have enjoyed his work as well. He playwriting in Roanoke . lives in Fincastle, Virginia, with his wife and two children, ELIZABETH HEFFRON is a Seattle-based all of whom are veterans of the local community theatre playwright. She currently teaches at stage. His plays were produced at Studio Roanoke by the Cornish College of the Arts, ACT Young Hollins Playwright's Lab, and frequently performed at No Playwrights Program, and at Freehold Shame Theatre. Theatre/Lab, where she has spent six JOHN PATRICK BRAY's plays have been seasons working with women of the produced with various festivals and Washington Correctional Center for theatres in New York City and are Women on inmate-generated performance published with Original Works Publishing, pieces. She is an alumna of the Seattle Next Stage Press, lndie Theatre Now, Rep Writers Group and a member of the Sandbox Artists JACPublishing, and Heartland Plays; and Collective and the Dramatists Guild. She holds an M.F.A. in in anthologies published by Applause and playwriting from Hollins University. Smith and Kraus. Bray has a Ph.D. in BEN JOLIVET's work has been developed theatre from Louisiana State University and produced on the East, West, and Gulf and an M.F.A. in playwriting from the coasts. He is a two-ti me semfi nal ist for the Actors Studio Drama School/New School for Drama. He is Eugene O'Neill Conference and a finalist an assistant professor at the University of Georgia and a for Sanguine Theatre Company's Project member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Playwright and the 2016 SETC Getchell PAUL SAMBOL has written 16 one-act plays presented as Award. He received a 2013 Massachusetts Centerpieces at Mill Mountain Theatre. His full-length play, Cultural Council Dramatic Writing The Straight Man, winner of the Norfolk Southern New Play Fellowship and the 2014 Silver Spring Competition, was also produced at Mill Mountain. He has Stage one-act festival judge's award for had plays produced and developed in New York, London , best script. He currently serves as playwright-in-residence Los Angeles, and Washington , D.C. He is a member of the at the Wilbury Theatre Group. He received a B.A. from Dramatists Gui Id. Southern New Hampshire University and is a student in the JOY SYLVESTER-JOHNSON is the author of M.F.A. program in playwriting at Hollins University. two musicals, Soup, Soap and Salvation LAURA KING is an award-winning playwright (produced at Mill Mountain in 1998 and who resides south of Atlanta. She holds 2002) and Christmas Cookies (produced an M. F.A . in playwriting from Hol Ii ns at Roanoke Children's Theatre in 2011). University and is an instructor of theatre Her "twitter prayers" can be found at at Gordon State College. King's plays are JoyPreets. Retiring from her real job as available at StageRights, YouthPLAYS , CEO of the Rescue Mission in 2017, she Polychoron Press, and the New Play plans to read more plays, see more plays, Exc hange. and write more plays. CAITLIN MCCOMMIS is a playwright out of St. Louis, Missouri. Her one-act play Hollins Playwrights Vinyl Doctors was produced as part of the FAST New Play Festival in Iowa City in MAURA CAMPBELL is a playwright, director, April 2008. Her full-length play You Won 't and screenwriter whose plays have been See Me received a workshop production produced on the West Coast (Flower at Tesseract Theatre in St. Louis in May Duet, Road Theatre), New York (New 2013, and her full-length play This York Indian Film Festival, Rosalee Was Is Nowhere was given a pre-premiere Here; and Manhattan Rep, Wild Geese) , production at Tesseract Theatre in May and Virginia (Mill Mountain Theatre, 2013. She is the ensemble playwright-in-residence with the Dreamtime; Studio Roanoke, Rosalee Was Tesseract Theatre. She is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Here). Recent productions include Memory playwriting at Hollins University. Palace (Good Theatre Company, Connecticut and Vermont Actor's Rep) and Fantasia De Co/ores (Theatre Mosaic Mand , Vermont). Campbell has a B.A. in liberal studies from u

MEREDITH DAYNA LEVY's historical drama University of Washington in Seattle, where she graduated Decision Height has been published in 1960 with a degree in theatre arts and design . In by Samuel French, Inc., and produced Hollywood, Wells made her debut on ABC 's The Roaring by theatres across the country. Levy 20s and was cast in episodes of such television shows is a founding member of dwellings as 77 Sunset Strip, The Cheyenne Show, Maverick, and dancetheatre, a collaborative partnership Bonanza, before she took the role of Mary Ann on Gilligan's between herself and dance maker Patricia Island. She reprised her character in the various Gilligan's Brooks Cope. With the support of Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Island reunion specials, including a reunion cartoon spin­ they have created The Tinker, a monthly works-in-progress off, Gilligan 's Planet, and three reunion movies. She also performance series for local and affiliated performance appeared as a guest star on multiple TV shows, including artists to engage audiences through unfinished works. Levy The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, ALF, Herman 's Head, Three is pursuing her M.F.A. in playwriting at Hollins University. Sisters, Pastor Greg, and Roseanne. Following Gilligan's She is a member of the Dramatists Guild. Island, Wells embarked on a theatre career, appearing in WENDY-MARIE MARTIN earned an M.F.A. nearly 100 theatrical productions. She also had a one­ in playwriting from the Playwright's Lab woman show at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las at Hollins University and holds a B.F.A. in Vegas. In 2005, Wells consigned for sale her original acting as well. She has written , directed, gingham blouse and shorts ensemble from her signature and produced intimate theatre projects role as Mary Ann. A Beverly Hills auction house, Profiles in the U.S. and Europe. Her short plays in History, sold it for $20,700. In 2014 she released have been produced in Germany, The What Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life, which she Netherlands, Australia, and the U.S. She cowrote with Roanoke writer and well-known cartoonist is also creator and executive producer Steve Stinson. The book was released to coincide with the of the Red Eye 10s Play Festival, a nationwide festival of 50th anniversary of Gilligan's Island. In Idaho, Wells runs original shorts. Martin is a member of the Dramatists Guild, a business, Wishing Wells Collections, making clothing Theatre Communications Group, and Playwrights' Center. for people with limited mobility. She is the founder of TODD RISTAU designed the Playwright's Lab the Idaho Film and Television Institute, with "a vision of at Hollins University and has served as education, technical training, and economic development program director since its 2007 launch . in Southeastern Idaho." Her manager, Leonard Carter, He is a distinguished graduate of the Iowa is a native Roanoker and well-known filmmaker and Playwright's Workshop and his plays have videographer. He introduced Wells to the unique charms of been performed in theatres across the the region, which prompted her to share her enthusiasm for U.S. and England, including London's the Star City and lend her enormous talents to Starcropol is. West End. Ristau founded No Shame SIMON ADKINS has performed in various Theatre in 1986 and oversaw its evolution local plays, including New Works by into a national network of venues for Friends and Students of Todd, The Ross new work. He worked with Mill Mountain Theatre's literary Laguzza Show, and People Like Ami or associate overseeing new works programming, and was Turtle Who Need an Actor Right Now. He Studio Roanoke's first artistic director. He is a member of is typically cast as a clown, a villain, a the Dramatists Guild and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs villainous clown, a clownish villain, or a of America, and currently serves KCACTF Region IV as chair character so clever you could put a tail on of the national playwriting program and SETC as playwriting him and call him a weasel. chair. Ristau wrote the Star Trail Stories for Starcropolis. RICK BLUNT has worked as a professional DAVID SCHWINGLE is a playwright, an actor for 10 years, primarily at the assistant professor, and an actor I ivi ng, American Shakespeare Center. While teaching, and performing "acts of theatre" on tour he performed for and taught in South Carolina. He has a passion for Shakespeare workshops at such places creating new stories and sharing them as University of Texas, Georgetown, and with an audience, and he loves helping Mississippi State. Blunt's work with others do the same. Schwingle has just Hollins Theatre includes Almost, Maine, completed his M.F.A. in playwriting as a Distracted, a devised work cal led Rock in' member of the Playwright's Lab at Hollins Shakespeare, and a one-hour version of Macbeth, which was University. performed as part of his Shakespeare Bootcamp. Main Stage Performers BONNY BRANCH is a visual artist and ballroom dance and yoga instructor from Special Guest Artist Roanoke who loves performing. She DAWN WELLS is best known for her role studied with Double Edge Theatre in as Mary Ann Summers on the CBS sitcom Massachusetts and the American Dance Gilligan's Island. She was born in Reno, Festival in North Carolina. Branch has Nevada, and attended Stephens College performed with Hollins University in in Columbia, Missouri , where she majored Decision Height, All I Really Need to Know in chemistry. She transferred to the I Learned in Kindergarten, An Initial Condition, Helvetica, and most recently as Mama in Distracted. NICK MCCORD is an actor and playwright MARION GREY, originally from Roanoke , from Seattle, who has been making up is a Washington, D.C .-based actress. She stories as long as he can remember. is anticipating the release this fall of her McCord is currently pursuing his M.F.A in first short film (Dinner Party) and her playwriting from Hollins University. first web series (Speak For Yourself) . In JASPER MCGRUDER has performed at Yale May, she completed a yearlong national Rep , the Kennedy Center, and the Barter tour with Olney Theatre Center's National Theatre, including Driving Miss Daisy, Players. Her favorite roles were Puck (A Of Mice and Men, Looking Over the Midsummer Night's Dream) and Portia President's Shoulder, and Jimmie Rogers: (Julius Caesar) . Grey recently graduated from James The Blue Yodeler. Film and TV credits Madison University with a B.A. in theatre and dance. include Malcom X, Fringe, and Unchained TOM HONER began his theatre career at Memories on HBO. McGruder performed in St. Cloud State College, after being in Conjur Woman in Rome and with the world the Navy for four years. He also acted in tour of Einstein on the Beach. He plays numerous shows at Waterloo Playhouse harmonica and has performed at Carnegie and Omaha Playhouse, receiving the Hall . He is a member of Actor's Equity. Fonda-McGuire award for actor of the He dedicates his performance to his long year while in Omaha. When Honer time friend Marty Rowe: actress, director, moved to Roanoke he became involved inspiration. in Showtimers as actor, director, and VANESSA MILLS has a B.A. in theatre member of the board of directors. He has performance, and some of her favorite also acted at Mill Mountain Theatre, Hollins University, and roles include Christine Daae (Phantom Southwest Virginia Ballet. of the Opera), Cathy Hiatt ( The Last Five THESA LOVING Film: Distant Vision Years), Luisa ( The Fantasticks) , and Al ice (dir: Francis Ford Coppola). National (Closer). tours: Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof. THOM MOORE has performed with Virginia Regional tours: Fiddler on the Roof. NY: Tech , Busch Gardens, Virginia Stage The City Beneath (Dir: Estelle Parsons) Company-Norfolk, Colonial Wi 11 iamsburg, Little Women, To Love and To Cherish, the Barksdale-Richmond, and Hollins Prescriptions, Dylan, Curse of the Starving University, where he appeared in Into the Class. NY Caba ret: A Moment With ... Thesa Woods, Caroline or Change, and Violet. He Loving. TV: Americas Most Wanted, Oklahoma Passage. received his M.F.A. in acting from V.C .U. Regional (selected lead roles) : Good 01' Girls, The Music Moore writes music for the banjo and Man, The King and I, Noises Off, Chapter Two, Prisoner of recently recorded an album, That Evening Second Avenue, Quilters, Rain. Lifetime Member of The Sun, with banjo, mandolin , guitar, and Actors Studio. string quartet. AMANDA MANSFIELD has performed in ERICA MUSYT is a Roanoke native with Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Iowa credits from Mill Mountain Theatre, City, Louisville, and Roanoke. She is a including Joseph and the Amazing founder of Classics at Brucemore and Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Pied Piper, founding director of Children 's Classics The Wizard of Oz, and Centerpieces. Musyt at Brucemore in Cedar Rap ids. Mansfield has a B.A. in theatre from George Mason most recently appeared in the Holl ins University. While living in Los Angeles , she Playwright's Festival productions of worked on the television series Swingtown Adverse Effects and Helvetica, and in the Off the Rails' and films such as Knocked Up, You Me productions of The Children's Hour and Doubt. She is and Dupree, and Spider-Man 3. the donor relations coordinator for the Virginia Western MIKAYLA PARKER's recent credits are as Community College Educational Foundation. Alice in Mill Mountain Theatre's Alice and MICHAEL MANSFIELD has worked with a ensemble roles in MMT's Aesop's Fables, wide variety of local arts organizations, Beauty and the Beast JR, and Wizard of including Mill Mountain Theatre, Oz. She was also in Roanoke Children Showtimers, Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Theatre's Rapunzel and Attic Production 's Ballet Theatre, Roanoke Children's Mary Poppins. Parker loves acting, singing, Theatre, Little Town Players, and Off the dancing, and art. Rails Theatre. Most recently he was in CHARLOTTE PEARL is in middle school at Antigone and Proof, and he was lucky RVCS. She was most recently seen in enough to be a part of both the Roanoke and New York Mary Poppins at Attic Productions. Pearl productions of Helvetica and Adverse Effects. is a Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory student and has enjoyed roles in plays such as Aesop's Fables and Shel's World. cc

PATRICK REGAL just finished his first year World Poetry Slam . His work has appeared in Union Square at California State University-Fresno as Lit Mag, The Careless Embrace of the Boneshaker, The a theatre arts major. Some of his acting Huffington Post, and The Washington Post. credits include The Glass Menagerie, The Frog Prince, Really Really (KCACTF Creative Company Irene Ryan Nomination), Legally Blonde: The Musical, and the world premiere DAVID CALDWELL (Music Director) was music director at Mill adaptation of Blue Willow in which he Mountain Theatre from 1986 to 1997, and also served as originated the role of Janey's Dad. music director off Broadway for Forbidden Broadway from SHANE STRAWBRIDGE is an M.F.A. 2004 to 2014. He composed music and lyrics for All I candidate in the Playwright's Lab at Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and Uh-Oh Hollins University. He was recently Here Comes Christmas, both based on the writing of Robert recognized as one of DFW's best actors Fulghum. He also composed music for Fulghum's novel by CBS-DFW and was named the first Third Wish. Recently he composed music for Gotta Getta runner-up in the Southwest Playwriting Girl, with lyrics by Peter Charles Morris. He conducted the Competition at Stage West. Strawbridge American premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden. is a member of Literary Managers He recently music-directed Murder For Two off Broadway, as and Dramaturgs of America, Equity well as two shows in China, with Inner Mongolian authors Membership Candidate Program, and the Dramatists Guild. and casts. He is interviewed at length in 01 iver Sacks' book BAYLA SUSSMAN is the owner of Baylee's about music and the brain, Musicophilia. Best Chocolates in Roanoke. She has ANN COURTNEY (Lighting Designer) teaches lighting design performed in musicals, Shakespeare, at Hol Ii ns and has served as I ighti ng designer for Goodnight comedies and dramas, industrials, and Moon, Almost, Maine, Belloq's Ophelia, A Woman of as a voice talent. She performed at Long Independent Means, Helvetica, An Initial Condition, Wharf, Candlewood, Organic Theatre, in Coupler, and Adverse Effects. She is the resident I ighti ng Free Shakespeare, and in musicals around designer for the Rockbridge Ballet and Halestone Dance the Chicago area. Sussman spent two­ Studio in Lexington and an adjunct professor and guest and-a-half years of her life waving her designer for Washington and Lee University. Courtney wand as the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio at earned her B.A. from Fordham University and her M.F.A. several children's theatres. from the University of South Carolina. AMI TROWELL is a graduate student in the M.A.L.S. JOHN FORSMAN (Scenic Design/Technical Director) is the program at Hollins. She is the creative director of Big Lick technical director for the Hollins Theatre Institute. Hailing Conspiracy, Roanoke's only professional improvisation from Omaha, Nebraska, he earned a B.F.A. in technical troupe. Trowell has been seen on and behind the scenes theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an M.F.A. in shows at Mill Mountain Theatre, Off the Rails, VWCC in technical direction from the University of Virginia. He Theatre, and Roanoke Children's Theatre. She is a regular worked as the assistant technical director for the Cincinnati on the TV show Tuned Out and co host on BP and Ami. Playhouse in the Park and as stage crew supervisor at the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico. Star Trail Featured Performers JULIE LINDSEY HUNSAKER (Costume Designer) has worked in costume design, casting, locations, and set decoration RICK BLUNT (Starry Starry Shakespeare) for theatre, television, and movies. She is an entrepreneur bio and photo found with Main Stage who has opened, owned, and operated businesses including Performers. Upper Cut, Jezebels, the National Acquirer, and the beloved GINNA HOBEN (Starry Starry Shakespeare) Grandin Theatre. Hunsaker served as costume designer at is an actor/writer residing in Astoria, Hollins for These Shining Lives, Nine, Good Of' Girls, and New York. Twice in the last year, she Distracted. performed in her self-written play, No SHELBY TAYLOR LOVE (Stage Manager) has been a stage Spring Chicken, as well as in five classical manager for almost 10 years. She has worked at Cincinnati plays in rotating repertory at American Playhouse in the Park, Mill Mountain Theatre, ArtsPower Shakespeare Center. Writing credits include The Twelve National Touring Theatre, Barnstormers Theatre, Sundance Dates of Christmas (39 productions worldwide), Pierced! lnstitute's Theatre Lab, FringeNYC, New York Musical (New York and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals), The Wind-Chill Theatre Festival, and the Irish Repertory Theatre. In Factor, the 10-minute play Telephone (Actors Theatre of addition, Love has taught stage management at Mill Louisville), and the Emmy-nominated TV Mountain Theatre Conservatory and Hollins University. show Brain Games. . SUSANNA YOUNG (Associate Director) is a choreographer, JARED SINGER (Star Slam Poetry) is an ~ ;, director, and performer. She recently relocated to Virginia audio engineer and poet living in Brooklyn. ,._, from Los Angeles. Young returned to her alma mater, Hollins He has represented New York eight times .• ,_, University, to serve as choreographer and associate director at the national slam level, including two / . .,, for Little Women: The Broadway Musical and Distracted. final stage appearances at the National Performances include Eddie Harknell in the award-winning Poetry Slam and one at the Individual play Decision Height by Meredith Levy and the Angel in Jeff Goode's Christmas 2 with Skypilot Theater Company . it; Codirectors: Katherine Fralin, Ernie Zulia ( Administrative Director: Anna Goodwin (Hollins University) Project Manager: Jeannie Kee it; Project Advisors: Susan Jennin (City of Roa oke),

safellite Stage Directors: Michael Mansfield, Rachel morcM:Sling Committee: Michelle Bennett, Jeff Hodges ( ins University), Jnn Holzinger (Hollins University), Timothy Martin (Ci . Roanoke),

Star Stories Coard i nators: Amanda Brown, Logistics Committee: Patrick Boas (City Ginger Poole (Mill Mountain Theatre), Chri Dramaturg: Kevin Ferguson (Hollins University) Videographer: Jim Crawford

Production Team Technical Director: John Forsman (Hollins University) Lighting Designer: Ann Courtney (Hollins University) Costume Designers: Julie Lindsey Hunsa Stage Manager: Shelby Taylor Lo Assistant Director: Susanna Young ( ...

SHELTER SATELLITE STAR STAGE

ATTIC PRODUCTIONS, Fincastle Attic Productions, Inc., is a 274-seat community theatre providing live, family friendly entertainment for valley residents since 1995.

GLOW CAST By Nicole B. Adkins Younger Edith - Kai lee Weiman Directed by Katrina Yancey Older Edith - Georgia Weiman Christopher - Steve Aaron Aster - Kerry Plank

OFF THE RAILS THEATRE, Roanoke Off the Rails is a dynamic community theatre known for its daring productions of cutting-edge plays.

LAST WISH CAST By Wendy Marie Martin Noel - Amanda Cash ils Directed by Miriam Frazier Agnes - Vickie Haynie

SHOWTIMERS COMMUNITY THEATRE, Roanoke Showtimers is an all volunteer organization that has been providing quality theatrical productions COMMUNITY THEATRE SINCE 1951 in the Roanoke Valley since 1951.

THE MATCH POLARIS By David Schwingle By Paul Sambol Director Chip Addison Director Chip Addison Assistant Director Traci Addison Assistant Director Traci Addison

CAST CAST Joyce - Linsee Lewis Denise - Carolyn Ziegler Bob - Ben Sherman George - Greg Spickard OVERLOOK SATELLITE STAR STAGE

Starry Starry Shakespeare Ginna Hoben and Rick Blunt, former company members from the American Shakespeare Center, will delight you with passages from Shakespeare's star-studded plays, including Romeo and Juliet, the original "star-crossed lovers."

Star Slam Poetry Slam poetry has become a national phenomenon. Native Roanoker Jared Singer has emerged as one of the most celebrated slam poets in the country! Enjoy this unique form of theatrical star-storytelling.

Stellar-Starry lmprov BIG LICK CONSPIRACY www.biglickconspiracy.com BIGLICK Big Lick Conspiracy is Roanoke's professional improvisation troupe which has been C

ROCKS SATELLITE STAR STAGE ! MILL MOUNTAIN CONSERVATORY Roanoke www.m i I lmou ntai n .org

GINA'S DATE CAST By Caitlin McCommis Gina - Mary Brothers Directed by Jay Briggs

SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem Salem High School offers three levels of drama classes and a vibrant extracurricular program of plays and musicals.

OOPS CAST By Meredith Dayna Levy Ferguson -- Ben Galbreath Directed by Rachel Sailer Martin -- Sierra Boynton Alex -- Isaac Snow Brittany -- Rebekah Moore Oops -- Garren Snow

PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL Roanoke Play title and cast not available at the time of printing. / Your Starcropolis Experience Star Trail (5-8 p.m.) Wander at your own pace from the star to the zoo. Sit or stand, and stay as long as you like while making stops along this magical theatrical journey. Enjoy storytellers, musicians, treetop aerialists, Shakespeareans, comedy improv, slam poetry and short Star Story plays performed by area theatre companies and high schools. Find yourself at the Galaxy Cafe for dinner and drinks, then visit the four-legged performers at the zoo.

1 I The Shelter Satellite Star Stage Four difforent shbrt Star Story plays performed in rotating rep by dynamic area community theatre companies, includingShowtimers, Off the Rails Theatre, and Attic Productions.

The Rocks Stage Rising stars from area high schools perform short Star Story plays in rotating rep up at the rocks next to the Star. t Overlook Satellite Star Stage (In rotating rep every 15 minutes) f . Starry Starry Shakespeare Ginna Hoben and Rick Blunt, former company members from the American Shakespeare Center, will delight you with passages from Shakespeare's star-studded plays, including Romeo and Juliet, the original "star-crossed lovers:'

Star Slam Poetry Slal]J_ j'.!Oetryhas become a national J?henomenon. Native Roanoker Jared Singer has emerged as one of the most celebrated slam poets in the country. Enjoy Singer's poetic take on the star through this unique form of theatrical star-storytel Ii ng.

Stellar-Starry lmprov Big Lie ~ Conspiracy, Roanoke's own comedy improv troupe, will "take the offer" and create spontaneous star stories and ot~er' stellar shenanigans for your entertainment.

/. \. = \ Star Bursts Along the Trail Star Trail .Storytellers Storytellers await you beneath the lampposts,along the Star Trail to share real-life tales and tidbits related to the star.

Dancing i1htie Stars ... and Trees -- Sabrina Woods brings her aerial silk ballet to the treetops of Mill Mountain.

Random Acts of Dance Spot the improv dancers dressed in white who will be floating like stardust on the mountaintop, bringing informal movement and energy to the spirit of Starcropolis.

"Starry Corp" Star Story Depository Stop by to record your Star Story, or deposit your written story into the Star Story archive, managed by staff members from the Roanoke Public Libraries. Meet special guests, including Bob Kinsey, who threw the switch the first time the star was lit in 1949. The Davis H. Elliot Galaxy Cafe Enjoy a sumptuous Southwest Virginia picnic dinner created by Blue Ridge Catering featuring BBQ or fried chicken. Vegetarian option available. Dinner ticket $20 ($15 in advance). A cash bar will offer beer, wine and soft drinks throughout the evening. (All alcoholic beverages must stay in the cafe area and may not be carried past the Fishburn Main Stage or to the zoo.)

Mill Mountain Zoo Enjoy the four-legged performers who will welcome you at the Mill Mountain Zoo throughout the evening. Your Starcropolis pass is your admission to their zoological dance ... the same one they present every day on the mountaintop.

Lemonade It's a tradition! Enjoy a glass of fresh lemonade-the same brew that was served before every performance on the veranda of the old Rockledge Inn, home of Mill Mountain Summer Stock Playhouse.

Starry-okee After the main event, adventurous star-revelers will be invited to join Stellar Starry-okee singers as they work through the list of everyone's favorite star songs, including "Stardust;' "Star Man," "Vincent (Starry Starry Night);' and "When you Wish Upon a Star:' The Fishburn Main Stage: Star Stories... If the Star Could Talk! (8:30 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m.)

Everyone has a Star Story to share... yours or someone else's. If you hang out at the star overlook long enough, you may overhear or witness real-life comedies and dramas taking place anytime of the day or night.

Writers from the Playwright's Lab at Hollins University, along with celebrity guest authors and playwrights, have created short plays and monologues based on these stories, and set at our beloved star. Some are true, and some not so true, but they truly reflect who we are and celebrate what it means to be connected to this place and each other.

Star Stories .. .lf the Star Could Talk! is produced by the Hollins Theatre Institute, and performed by a company of our region's finest actors, along with professional guest artists from Los Angeles and New York. Together, these artists have worked to create a reflection of who we are here in the Roanoke Valley: our dreams and foibles, sorrows and joys. TURN PAGE FOR EVENT MAP :J'; J

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-;.i., Star Stage After 40 Years Theatre Returns To Mill Mountain

The Starcropo/is Fishburn Main Stage tent brush with a wildfire in 1939, and never seemed is erected on the "sacred spot" where Mi 11 to regain its original luster. It was abandoned in Mountain Playhouse once operated in the historic the late 1950s and sat vacant unti I it was given Rockledge Inn. Every summer from 1964 to new life as a magical destination for live theatre. 1976, audiences would drive up the mountain, take in the beautiful view, enjoy a lemonade In 1964, a group of enthusiastic thespians on the veranda, and share in the delight of I ive launched an ambitious season of one-week theatre. Not only was it a special occasion-to summer stock in the vacant Inn. Opening with go to the playhouse, but for many, it was also a Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, they tradition they shared with family, friends, and fol lowed with Our Town plus eight more plays fellow community members. Live theatre became and musicals: every week a different play. Two more than a delightful distraction from the heat of years later, David Huddleston, born and raised in the summer; it was a gal van izing experience that the area, was hired to transform the playhouse brought citizens of the Roanoke Valley together, into an Equity professional theatre. Huddleston at the highest point in the city, reminding them was living and working in New York at the time they lived in a very special place, among terrific and later went on to a very successful career as people. a character actor in Hollywood and on Broadway. The playhouse ran as an Equity summer stock The Rockledge Inn was built in 1892 and was a theatre through 1969. popular resort destination for decades. It had a While still teaching at Hollins College, Jim arts were crucial to the quality of life in our Ayers was hired to serve as the business manager, community, and banded together shortly after but the endeavor proved fiscally impossible. The the fire to begin plans for an arts complex on the size of the house (approximately 225 seats) could city market. Center in the Square would not only not support an equity budget, and even though he provide a new home for Mill Mountain Theatre, tried everything in his power to control costs, the but would also begin the revitalization that would doors closed at the end of 1969. Betty Carr Muse, transform downtown Roanoke into the dynamic a passionate board member, called Ayers saying community center and tourist destination it has she couldn't bear to see the theatre go dark and become. Out of tragedy came great triumph. would come up with some funding if he could get Center in the Square has been the home of Mill something-anything-on the stage for the 1970 Mountain Theatre since 1984. Under the dynamic summer season, even if it was dancing bears! artistic leadership of Jere Lee Hodgin for more than two decades, along with Patrick Benton Ayers took her challenge and, deciding against and now Ginger Poole, who has led the theatre's dancing bears, formed the first Mill Mountain remarkable rebirth, MMT has become a major Youth Ensemble, composed primarily of Hollins theatrical force recognized for excellence and students. Along with Rachel Lampert, who taught innovation throughout the United States. But dance at Hol Ii ns, he staged a production of The although no permanent structure remains, it's Marriage on the Eiffel Tower by avant garde artist nice to know the foundation wi 11 always remain Jean Cocteau. This very unlikely summer stock here, on top of Mill Mountain. fare sold out all performances, and he credited its success to the youthful spirit of the company, the -Ernie Zulia beautiful view from the mountain, and the unique atmosphere of the times. After that summer, the playhouse was incorporated as a not-for-profit, nonequity theatre, and Ayers was hired as the artistic director. He continued teaching at Hollins while producing four productions at the playhouse every summer through 1976. He was joined by a rag-tag group of passionate colleagues that included Jere Hodgin, Ernie Zulia, Biff Baron, Rob Fisher, Ed Sala, Doug Flinchum, and Laban Johnson.

They al I considered it a great tragedy when the theatre burned in the fal I of 1976. It was the end of an era. Like a phoenix rising, the playhouse moved to a new location at the Grandin Theatre from 1977 to 1983 and although it was a welcoming home, everyone missed the magical setting of the mountain.

No one could have imagined that the burning of the playhouse actually helped propel Mill Mountain Theatre and the city of Roanoke into a new era. Passionate community leaders, including Robert and Sibyl Fishburn, Warner Dal house, and David Goode, believed theatre and all the The Star: A History

The Roanoke Star (or Mill Mountain Star) is Hidden away, Roy C. Kinsey's son Bob flipped the largest man-made illuminated star in the the actual switch. The ceremony was attended by world. Previously known as the Magic City, actor John Payne and was reported by multiple due to a building boom in which houses and national radio networks. Lifemagazine ran a businesses just seemed to appear, Roanoke photo layout of the star in December 1949, and became known as the Star City of the South the Todayshow hosted an episode there in 1958. (or just the Star City) soon after the star was first lit on November 23, 1949. The Roy C. The Roanoke Merchants' Association erected Kinsey Sign Company designed and erected the star originally as a Christmas decoration the star, and Roanoke Iron and Bridge Works and draw for downtown Roanoke businesses. designed the steel structure. The star sits on a However, the citizens of Roanoke liked it so structure over 100 feet tall and has 2,000 feet much that the star has remained lit most nights of neon tubing. To ground the star, cable from from December 30, 1949, to the present day. In the (then) recently scrapped trolley system that time the star has changed colors or been left was buried beneath it. off for significant events, from traffic fatalities to the attacks of 9/11. The smaller stars were Along with the star erected on Mill decommissioned or sold to other localities for Mountain, a number of smaller stars were use as holiday decorations, and some have since created to hang from lampposts in downtown ended up in private homes and local museums. Roanoke. On the evening of November 23 at 8:22 p.m., Mayor A. R. Minton threw a -Nathan Flinchum, Roanoke Public Libraries ceremonial switch to light the mountain star.

.f \.•.;, f,; :,:·,i 1 ,.. ' '.it'� \'.,,. ·.· ,. )1· ' .,, ,'!,,1 ,,' ,.t.-•· ,. .� .l . ,, ' ..., ,v,1·1�. n·o 1-1 EM I AN Ro BOT.u1/\\ Over 40 plays were submitted by writers from Hollins and across the country. Not all could be presented on stage, so we wanted to share one as an example of the fine work that may appear in future Starcropolis productions. REUNION

A Play By Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey ELIZABETH "BETSY" FORSYTHE HAILEY (Hollins class of 1960) is a critically acclaimed playwright and author of best-selling novels, including A Woman of Independent Means, which examine the changing roles of women in society. The novel was made into a popular NBC mini series starring Sally Field. With her late husband, she collaborated on several television series, including McMillan and Wife, Love of Life, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She served as writer-in-residence at Hollins in 1998, and she has twice spoken at Founder's Day and commencement.

Open on the star grounds as the sun is setting. In the LILY background we hear a recorded version of the Hollins And Gordon had no interest in traveling to Tunisia or choir singing "Lift Thine Eyes;' which fades into the voice Saudi Arabia or Australia. of a woman humming the melody. Two women, early 40s, enter. One, LILY, is MONA carrying a large tote bag. She is accompanied by her We were hostages of the oil business for most of our mar­ friend MONA. They stop at a bench, look around, seem riage. Thank God Jean Paul decided to take early retire­ to come to a decision. LI LY sits, opens the tote bag, rests ment. her hand on something inside. MONA stands behind her, puts her hands on Lily's shoulders. LILY leans back LILY against her, closes her eyes, comforted. If only Gordon had, he might still be alive today.

LILY MONA This is harder than I thought. But still the two of you saw a lot more of the world (beat) than we did. All those trips you took! I often think Thank you for coming with me. of the irony: I wouldn't marry Gordon because I wanted to live abroad and travel the world. You were quite happy MONA to stay at home here in Roanoke. I loved him too, you know. LILY LILY With Gordon. Once you went running back to Paris ... I know. And so did he. MONA MONA To Jean Paul. Do you want to talk about him? LILY LILY To Paris. To France. To adventure. Not yet. Tell me, would you have given Jean Paul a second look if you'd met him in Texas? MONA I'm sorry we didn't see more of each other over the years. MONA But the company was always moving us. (a pause) Where there were plenty of oilmen I could've married ... MONA (laughs at the irony) And I was willing to take any kind of job to that end. No, probably not. I didn't even like going home to Texas for holidays. I certainly couldn't imagine LILY spending my life there. Starting with marriage to a Frenchman.

LILY MONA Well I'm sure glad you came east to college. Starting ... and ending. I think we're the only ones in our class who (Lily gives her a puzzled look) roomed together all four years. I devoted myself to becoming a model French wife. Learn­ ing the language till I could follow the conversation, then MONA taking courses so I'd have something to say. (leaning down to give her a hug, then walking away to look MONA out at the view) Madeleine has always kept her feelings very much to I hope Madeleine is as happy here these next four years herself. I couldn't tell what she was thinking as we toured as I was. campus after campus. Until we came here.

LILY LILY She seems as excited to be here as we were when we ar­ The spoon bread may have had something to do with it. rived in Paris 20 years ago. MONA MONA Not to mention the crab cakes and sweet potato pie. To be honest, I'm very relieved she's here. Europe is in a (pause) state of high anxiety these days. But just knowing she's safe here in the Blue Ridge Mountains ... MONA (cont) (she walks to another viewing point) No, it was you - and Gordon. He was so warm and I can breathe a bit easier. affectionate, so different from French men. Just taking her (pause) in his arms like that ... Funny. I always imagined that once Jean Paul retired, we'd start traveling, finally be able to see some of the LILY places we were never able to visit when he was working. I can't believe that was just two years ago. But now he just wants to settle down and live full time in our summer place in Provence. That's where he is today, MONA getting the house ready for the winter. And after dinner we drove up here, to the Star. Do you remember? LILY Are you disappointed? LILY He always loved coming here. He brought me here on our MONA first date. (coming back to the bench, sitting down beside Lily) Actually, to my amazement, I'm looking forward to it. MONA Finally being able to spend our days together - mornings (laughing) and afternoons as well as evenings. I'm still in love with Me too. him, thank God. LILY LILY And this is where he asked me to marry him. I'm happy for you. (looking at Lily) Go ahead. Say it. MONA Remember how ambitious I used to be? MONA Me too. LILY (pause) A woman of the world! That's what you always said you Did he ever forgive me for abandoning him like that - wanted to be. with a date set for the wedding? LILY LILY He was a basket case in the beginning, as you can imag­ (rising) ine. It's time.

MONA MONA Unfortunately, I can. Contrary to appearance, I was not Yes. My daughter should be done with the tour by now. without guilt. LILY LILY (quiet, calm) But I was feelingabandoned too. I'd lost my best friend Our daughter. Or rather Gordon's daughter. And now - and not just my college roommate. I assumed you and mine too. Gordon would settle down in Roanoke - he was already working at the bank - and we would go right on be- MONA ing best friends. You and Gordon and me and whoever I (staring at her, stunned) ended up marrying. How long have you known?

MONA LILY I know you were angry with me at the time but I was so Since that night two years ago when the two of you grateful to you for being here to help him get through it. stayed with us. After we told you goodnight, Gordon dis­ appeared into his study, saying he had work to do. After LILY an hour or so I went to look for him. He'd fallen asleep at Were you ever really in love with Gordon? his desk, an old family album open in front of him. When I woke him, he just pointed to a photo. "Remind you of MONA anyone?" "Who is it?" "My grandmother Elizabeth. She I thought I was - he was such a lovely man - and I even died when I was just a kid. I adored her:' I kept staring at tried to be again when we came home from Paris. the photo.

LILY LILY (cont) Tried? By becoming lovers, you mean? "You see it, don't you?" he said finally. "You have to see it:' And of course I did. Madeleine looks just like her. MONA "What are we going to do about it?" I asked. "That's the Well, yes. miracle;' he said. "We don't have to do anything. She's coming here. In two years. We'll be able to see her all the LILY time. We'll have a daughter." And bringing home to Gordon everything you learned from Jean Paul? MONA He never said a word to me. MONA I never slept with Jean Paul that semester. I really thought LILY I was saving myself for Gordon. But we did go to the There was no need. movies ... MONA Oh yes, I remember going to the movies in Paris. But how did you feel?

MONA LILY Just his hand on my knee and I'd start trembling ... Once I got over the shock - grateful. Even more so now, now that he's gone. Because he's alive in her. And always LILY will be. I suppose I should thank you for the lessons you taught (She reaches in her tote bag, takes out an urn, pries offthe Gordon before you fled. lid, begins to scatter the ashes. She holds out the urn to MONA who hesitantly reaches her hand inside and the two MONA women together wordlessly complete their task) (trying to keep it light) De rien. THE END History of Mill Mountain From "Anatomy of a Mountain" By Beth Macy oke Times ne 13, 2004

_ -""' -One of the fir:st=white men to lay claim to Henritze charged motorists 25 cents to drive the mountain wasJ

Once every couple of months or so, I run into I found it on the trail just below the Mill her somewhere along the ferny paths. Mountain Star one morning:

Nature-lover Betty Field, Mill Mountain's A note-the opposite of a Dear John letter­ fiercest mama bear, has scaled its stony surface more perfectly folded into an airplane, and presumably than all but the deer and wild turkey. Years ago, she launched from the star overlook. calculated, she'd already hiked enough miles on Mill to match the circumference of the Earth. I find a lot of things on the mountain during my regular walks and bike rides: random garbage, I hiked with her once -- something I don't cigarette butts, deer, blue-tailed skinks, an occasional recommend for the faint of foot. We were gone all day, homeless person. and this stick-thin septuagenarian, who'd offered to pack us a lunch, made me go five full hours before she But never before have I stumbled onto a piece finally pulled out a half-sandwich (!) from her sack. of a cuckold's heart: "I hereby forgive [name of ex] for everything she did that made me mad over the last I spotted her near the mountaintop not long five years." He went on to list a trail of sins including ago, her eyes zeroed in on a treetop thicket of birds. adultery, violence, financial shenanigans, lying.

"How are you, Betty?" "The five years are behind me, and we are off to a new start, Ii ke we just met today ... and I wi11 "I'm watching the ravens," she said. "I'm never ever say or bring up our past as long as I live." getting ready to take the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee on the Monument Trail hike, and I've told Add this attribute to the debate over the future myself I'm not going to talk or lecture. I just want of Roanoke's coolest spot. Mill Mountain: a place for them to see the wildflowers." forgiveness.

How was she? She was in her usual state of -Beth Macy holy reverence, fascinated by the start of another season and the sheer black brilliance of a common bird.

-Beth Macy Roanoke's Newcomers Reflect on the Star On July 12, 2016, 15 leamers from10 different countries took a fieldtrip to the Roanoke Star. All are classmates at Blue Ridge Literacy, where they have come to learn English. Standing in the hot sun, they smiled, pointed at the giant star, and reflected on the beauty and personal significanceof this symbol of Roanoke, their new home.

Here are just a few of the comments written later that day as part of a classroom assignment. Go to You'F e to see more. h ://www.youtube.com/watch?v-bHa/V1XDnbEcg

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About Blue Ridge Literacy

"How do you make an American? For upwards of 400 to 500 people each year, the process might begin in a basement room at Roanoke's downtown library [the home of Blue Ridge Literacy].... They come fromall around the globe - from Afghanistan, Burundi, Congo, Iraq, Mexico and South Sudan. Theyfled horrors the rest of us only read about...Today, 97 percent of the people that Blue Ridge Literacy deals with are foreign-born- and are learning English from scratch... Last year alone, Blue Ridge Literacy counted "learners;' as they are termed, from46 differentcountries ...Roanoke's status as a destination for immigrants - many settled through Commonwealth Catholic Charities - has been well­ known for years, through successive waves of foreign convulsions. The Vietnamese boat people of the '70s and '80s. The refugees from the Balkans in the '90s. More recently, refugees from parts of Africa and the Mideast. Typically, Catholic Charities gets them settled in housing, teaches them bus routes - and connects them to Blue Ridge Literacy to learn English... English is a hard language to learn because it doesn't follow the normal rules that most other languages follow. Yet, contrary to what some may think, immigrants do learn it:'

Excerpts from TheRoanoke Times, June 5, 2016

For more information: blueridgeliteracy.org ,;1//1[,'/Utl

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Dodtransbicentennial, doctransbicentennial, septaquintaguinquecentennial, quartoseptcentennial...

Scholars may debate the appropriate Latin term for a 175th anniversary. But by any name, Hollins University has reason to celebrate during its 2016-17 academic year as the school commemorates 175 years of preparing students for lives of active learning, fulfilling work, personal growth, achievement, and service to society. Starcropolis is part of a yearlong series of activities that honors Hollins' rich history, and everyone is warmly invited to join in the festivities.

Hollins traces its roots to a young mathematics professor named Charles Lewis Cocke, who was committed to offering young women the same rigorous education afforded to young men. From the school's founding in 1842, Hollins has evolved into the small university it is today, continuing to offera rigorous liberal arts education to women in a nondenominational setting complemented by eight coed graduate programs. During the course of 175 years, the opportunities extended to Hollins students have prepared them well foran ever­ changing world.

Hollins has flourished and remained strong over the years. Through the Great Depression, two World Wars, significant societal change, and contemporary challenges, Hollins has always found a way not only to endure, but also to thrive.

At the same time, Hollins has enjoyed the privilege of playing an important role in the cultural life of the Roanoke Valley. Theuniversity has proudly served as an educator, an employer, and as a venue for a wide range of programs that both enlighten and entertain. Hollins is delighted to welcome the community at large to campus, whether it's to take in one of the exceptional productions staged by the Hollins TheatreInsti tute; check out world-class exhibitions at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum; experience concert recitals by renowned classical vocalists and musicians; hear nationally and internationally acclaimed authors read from their works; or attend lectures by such luminaries as Bill Bryson and Jane Goodall.

Please visit Hollins' 175th anniversary webpage, www.hollins.edu/175, for news, special events, and other informationrelated to the celebration. The webpage includes a list of distinguished alumnae/i and their accomplishments, along with 175 moments in Hollins history. ~5 Soeial meaia eages nS0,000:t: Eolloweljs

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